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Pralatrexate Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 17, 2022.

Applies to pralatrexate: intravenous solution.

Serious side effects of Pralatrexate

Along with its needed effects, pralatrexate may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking pralatrexate:

More common

  • Black, tarry stools
  • bleeding gums
  • blood in the urine or stools
  • body aches or pain
  • chills
  • convulsions
  • cough
  • cracked lips
  • decreased urine
  • diarrhea
  • difficult or labored breathing
  • difficulty with swallowing
  • dry mouth
  • ear congestion
  • fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • fever
  • headache
  • increased thirst
  • loss of appetite
  • loss of voice
  • lower back or side pain
  • mood changes
  • muscle pain or cramps
  • nasal congestion
  • nausea or vomiting
  • numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pale skin
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • runny nose
  • shortness of breath
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth
  • swelling
  • tightness in the chest
  • troubled breathing with exertion
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects of Pralatrexate

Some side effects of pralatrexate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to pralatrexate: intravenous solution.

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Mucositis (70%), nausea (40%), constipation (33%), vomiting (25%), diarrhea (21%), anorexia (15%)[Ref]

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Thrombocytopenia (41%), anemia (34%), neutropenia (24%), leukopenia (11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Febrile neutropenia, pancytopenia[Ref]

General

The most common side effects observed in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) were mucositis, thrombocytopenia, nausea, and fatigue.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Edema (30%), tachycardia (10%)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiopulmonary arrest[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Cough (28%), epistaxis (26%), dyspnea (19%), upper respiratory tract infection (10%)

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Rash (15%), pruritus (14%)

Frequency not reported: Skin exfoliation, ulceration, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (36%), pyrexia (32%), pharyngolaryngeal pain (14%), abdominal pain (12%), pain in extremity (12%), back pain (11%), night sweats (11%), asthenia (10%)

Hepatic

Very common (10% or more): Abnormal liver function tests (13%)

Immunologic

Common (1% to 10%): Sepsis

References

1. Product Information. Folotyn (pralatrexate). Allos Therapeutics. 2009.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.